The 5-mile Walk will take place at Boston’s DCR Hatch Shell along the beautiful Charles River Esplanade on Sunday, October 5th! We are also excited to announce a special contest connected to the Making Strides of Boston walk. Walk Participants who register online at www.makingstrideswalk.org/bostonma and raise $300 by October 1st will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a Grand Prize of free house cleaning for a year!* To start a walk team, please visit: www.makingstrideswalk.org/bostonma. To make a donation to The Maids walk team please visit:http://main.acsevents.org/goto/themaidsnewengland Thank you!*For contest rules please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tired of your kitchen and looking to make a few changes that will make a big difference in the appearance and atmosphere, but not break the bank? A simple and relatively inexpensive solution is to replace the handles and knobs on your kitchen cabinets. It sounds like a small thing, but it can really make a major difference. Here are a few tips on getting the most bang for your buck. Go With Quality The average kitchen will go 10 or more years without being updated. Cabinet handles and knobs will get a lot of use over 10 years, so…

It’s always a challenge to keep kids occupied during the day. The harsh economic environment sometimes hinders parents from taking their children out for picnics during weekends and national holidays. Here are some fun things to keep kids occupied that are affordable: Visit National Parks National parks give kids an opportunity to watch various animals in their natural environment such lions, giraffes, hyenas and the list continues. There are hundreds of different parks that you can visit for free, especially during national holidays. Nevertheless, the entrance fee on normal days is quite fair. Go to a Drive-In Movie The number…

Parents and guardians sometimes experience problems during holidays and weekends when trying to keep their kids busy. Here are fun things to keep kids occupied during summer: Enroll them In a kids Yoga Class There are hundreds of Yoga facilities that offer Yoga classes to children. Some of the health benefits that can be derived from this physical activity include increase in blood circulation, increase in muscles, strengthening joints, relieving stress and promoting weight loss. Be sure to choose a facility that is managed by skilled experts with hands one experience for them to get the best training experience. Salsa…

Many Americans have lost items and personal valuables to burglary. However there are some easyways to make break-ins preventable at your home. To start, a simple step such as locking your doorswhenever you leave will help stave off would-be burglars. Below are some other tips for keeping your home secure: Lock Your Doors It should go without saying but locking the door is a must whenever you leave your home, and also while you are home if family members aren’t outside. By locking the doors, you are likely to deter anyone who was waiting for an easy way in. Invest…

Learning how to clean and maintain your oven is necessary to ensure optimal functionality for a long time. Without good maintenance, you risk having to replace your oven sooner than normally necessary, or even a fire breaking out in the oven. Below are tips for cleaning and maintaining your oven: Avoid too much moisture inside your oven If you expose your oven to too much water, you can possibly do permanent damage to it. Always make sure to refer to your owner’s manual if you are unsure on cleaning methods. Ensure you attend the food while it is cooking Another…

If you have children and pets, chances are your sofa has a few stains. From dust to dirt, spills and other grime, your sofa can be stained and even be ruined if it is not properly cleaned. Removing stains can seem like an impossible task sometimes, but it is easier than you think if you use the right cleaning method for each material. Below are some tips for cleaning all types of sofas: Vacuum Cloth Sofas Regularly When you are cleaning cloth sofas there is no need for cleansers unless you are actually treating stains. All you need is a…

Mold is a part of the natural environment: outdoors, it has its role in nature, to break down dead organic matter, but indoors, the growth of mold should be avoided. Nearly all homes get some type of mold infestations, so the trick is to stop them from growing and spreading, before they get large enough to harm your family and your home. If it becomes a major nuisance, it can discolor your walls and siding, blackens grout lines in your bathroom, and cause severe health problems for your family if not taken care of quickly and efficiently. Cleaning Steps Minor mold…

If you are not careful, your kitchen will soon be packed with appliances and cookware. There is need to ensure that they are stored well to prevent congestion and promote optimal circulation of air. Here are some storage tips that can give your kitchen a whole new look. If you need help with detail cleaning, contact The Maids of Medway in Massachusetts. They can also help with organization if you desire. Regardless, here are some creative ideas to help with the organizational part of your kitchen. Get a corner drawer: This is a genius idea that you can apply if…

Many people assume that they do not have bed bugs in their house until they notice some itching while they are in the bed. This small critter can infest your bedding and be very hard to get rid of. If you are dealing with bed bugs in your home, then the tips below can help you get rid of them. Inspect You should start the process with inspection, by looking for bed bugs in all the possible hiding places. Vacuum This is one of the best ways to deal with bed bugs. You can use the vacuum cleaner to vacuum…

Have you ever been in a hurry to leave your house, for work or some other important event, and you realize that your shoes are missing. You end up taking a lot of time trying to look for them, which can make you late. However, you can easily prevent shoe disappearance like this in your home simply by finding a better system of shoe storage. Below are some tips to help you prevent shoe scatters: 1. Install hanging shoe storage systems in your home The method is very simple, as hanging shoe storage systems can be found at many stores.…

If you are having problems with allergens in your home, you may not be cleaning properly, or as often as you should. When you clean your house properly, you can greatly reducethe allergens present in your home. Here are some of the most important things that you have to do to keep your home allergen free: 1. Vacuum and dustat least once or twice a week To reduce the allergens in your home, you should vacuum and dust once or twice every week. This will help to remove dust and other allergens that are present in it. The build-up of…

Hazardous chemicals can be found in most homes. The most common are household cleaners, detergents, and medicine. It is important that you store these chemicals safely to avoid poisoning accidents in your home. These simple tips can help you store chemicals safely in your home: Keep all chemicals labeled, and never store chemicals in containers that your child might associate with foods and drinks such as juices and sodas. You should never place insect or rodent baits where your children can reach. Ifyou are interrupted while cleaning, make sure to close the container and keep it out of your child’s…

There are a variety of uses for chlorine bleach in your home. Chlorine bleach can be used to eliminate mildew and mold that may be growing on various surfaces; it is also used in disinfecting and cleaning many items. Chlorine bleach may be very handy to use around the home but it is also important to note that it can be a hazard, so it’s wise to use the bleach cautiously, especially in a home that has pets or children. The Maids usehousekeeping products that work as well as—or even better than—bleach but are friendly to the environment to give…

If you have outdoor furniture, signs of wear and tear will appear over time. Many factors cause outdoor furniture to fade and wear, some of those being: daily use, adverse weather conditions, and scruffs and scratches. Regardless of how often you clean them or how careful you are, as the years passthe signs of use will show. So have some fun with your furniture and give it a facelift instead of replacing it. These simple tips will help you bring new life toyour outdoor furniture. A New Coat of Paint A new coat of paint allows you to bring back…

As long as the price stickers are where they belong – on the labeled products in your convenience store or other shopping malls, then they remain functional and useful. However, most stickers don’t stick there for long; they get to come off once they have been paid for after their brief shelf life. And heaven only knows where these stickers end up; they can easily become a nuisance on every surface in and around the home.The following are some of the ways to clean those stickers from various surfaces at home: Glass Surfaces Avoid scratching the glass to remove the…

For several years, many people have been using commercially made products for house cleaning different surfaces at home including the carpet, windows, furniture, and dishes, among several other things. Recently, there is an increasing trend where many families are turning to homemade cleansers, many of which have been used for decades. These products are eco-friendly compared to the ready-made ones on the market. Environmentally Friendly Most people assume that the commercially made cleaning products labeled “eco-friendly” or “natural” have no impact on the environment, but the small print on the labels often tells a different story. The safe, plant-based ingredients…

Are you forced to leave your car out on the street because your garage doesn’t have enough room for it? If so then its time you started thinking of how to get your garage organized. Listed below are a few tips to help you make that happen. Read on! 1. Sort It is best to group similar items together to make them easy to find. Shelving units, a few coats of paint and some cute decals for the garage door will transform the space without spending a lot of money. Put frequently used items, such as paper towel, cleaning materials,…

If you are a housekeeper, you know just how busy you can be. There is no shadow of doubt about the amount of work you put in. However, there are certain things you can do to make it more efficient and reduce the amount of time that you require to remove all the clutter. Here is a sneak peek of some of these ways: First, you need to have a better organization. The truth is that better organization is crucial towards efficient cleaning: When you sort through your stuff, you will no longer inquire where they should go. You won’t…

A home is a home, filled with your things—and the clutter that comes with them. However much you try, it is rather difficult keeping your home in tip-top condition all the time. You will find your cabinets filling up, drawers getting loaded, and closets carrying too many things. The best way to overcome all this clutter is to think of innovative ideas for your shelves. Use your creativity to make more space so that all your housekeeping efforts keep your home looking great. The first thing to do is reorganize all your shelves so that they give you more space…

Most homeowners view their garage as a two dimension space – deep and wide. If you think the same way, you are not taking full advantage of the potential storage space in your garage. To understand why, simply look up. Most garages have a good bit of open space near the ceiling that can be used to organize and store items. Let's take a look at two ways to take advantage of this space. Hook It Anything in your garage that can be hung on hooks can be stored in the ceiling area. This includes bikes, kayaks, backpacks, golf club…

Allergies and other respiratory issues make it hard for some people to use chemical cleaning products. At the same time, there are plenty cleaning items sold these days claim to be eco-friendly and free of harsh chemicals, when that isn’t always the case. The following are some cleaning solutions which you can make right in your kitchen using other common household products: Wax for Floors 2 Tbsp. of olive oil warm water white vinegar This wax will serve as an effective alternative for those who are bothered by the strong chemical smell of many common floor cleaners. Furniture Polishing 1/4…

There are many industries that are doing an awesome job of manufacturing safe-keeping bins. These bins are a great part of daily life as they are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes for organization and house cleaning. These storage bins are used not only in homes, but in schools and warehouses as well. You can easily get the bins according to your need from any shop near your property. Here are the top 10 uses for household storage bins: 1. A detailed storage system: A number of people use storage platforms with storage bins in an integrated…

Preserving confidential papers is something that every household needs to know to do because nobody wants any of these papers wet, lost, burnt, or damaged: birth certificates registration papers credit reports membership cards collectible concert tickets home business papers photos and other valuable papers Organization is key to keep your papers from getting lost, and an important part of housekeeping. The following are other ways to protect your valuable papers. Lamination You can laminate papers of different sizes using special products that come in different models to heat-seal lamination material over the paper for protection and preservation. Currently, you are…

Instead of using toxic chemical products in your home, you can make your own cleaning agents using some safe household ingredients. However, never mix bleach and ammonia, as they can create a deadly gas. It is important to ensure that the ingredients you are planning to use are appropriate for the surface you want to clean. White distilled vinegar and many other basic cleansers are safe for cleaning most surfaces, and can be mixed to make great cleaning products. Below are a couple of recipes for basic cleaners and their uses: Window Cleaner How to Make You will need a…

When you are working on housekeeping, it can really keep you busy. There are no doubts there. But there are efficient ways to help reduce the amount of time needed…at least on the clutter end of the task. Having better organization is the key to efficient cleaning. You’ll no longer need to ask where anything goes as you sort through it. You won’t have to ask “What does this go to?” anymore because you will know what category it belongs to and place it in that category’s drawer. Basically, you will know where to place it and save time for…

If you're like most people, then you could probably use some more space. A house or apartment has a fixed amount available, which will run out if you keep on adding stuff and don't free up space from time to time. Organization is the key to solving this problem, including making decisions on what you should or should not keep around. The first thing to remember when doing this kind of organizational house cleaning is that not everything is equally important. While everything certainly takes up space, some things are not used as frequently as others. If you would like…

Many people tend to focus more on house cleaning only on the inside of their houses, forgetting that the appearance of their outdoor space has a great impact on the overall picture of the home. Maintaining your patio furniture, in particular, is very essential to the overall appearance of the outdoor space. The daily exposure to the sun, humidity, and grime from substances take a toll on the furniture, which then leads to a restoration. If your furniture has lost its luster, here are a few tips you can practice to restore it and protect it for a long time.…

We have all been in a situation where the stench of something nasty has sunk into your clean carpet, and no matter how much you scrub the smell won't come out. You don't need a miracle to clean your carpets. All you need is some simple household goods such as baking soda and vinegar. Here are a few simple tips that can help you get rid of that nasty carpet odor and let your house continue to smell amazing once again. The first step is to sprinkle baking soda on the area that the smell is originating from. Brush the…

We all enjoy taking our beverages, especially coffee and tea. We stop enjoying the beverages when it comes to cleaning the cups, though; since it can be a bit of a mess. Even when you want to show off your house cleaning, there’s always a coffee or tea cup with some stubborn stains that you have been unable to remove. Below are a couple of reasons why your cups may still have stains: You only pile the cups with the other dishes. If you pile the cups with other dishes and just clean them like the rest, the stains are…

You have been feeling bad for several days or weeks. Nothing you take from the local drugstore seems to be helping, and you are having trouble getting a good night's sleep. Astoundingly, your own home could be the culprit. Common and obscure allergens may be triggering a host of unsavory symptoms that are making your life miserable. How can you tell for sure? Symptoms run the gamut, but here is a list of the most common: Coughing from post-nasal drip or bronchial irritation Wheezing, difficulty breathing, and asthma (especially in children whose bodies tend to be more sensitive than those…

When you do your house cleaning, don’t forget the refrigerator! Making your fridge more spacious can easily be achieved by making sure that all your foods and drinks are arranged and in order to avoid your fridge getting messy with all those spills and mixing of foods. Organizing your fridge makes it easy for you to: Add more foods into your fridge. Retrieve foods and drinks easily. Prevent you from overspending on goods that you already have them. Clean your house quickly and easily. Prepare your meals quickly, no time wasted to find foods in the fridge. Organizing Your Fridge…

Dust mites are very small living creatures; they do not transmit diseases to people or human beings but can cause severe allergic reactions to some people. People who are prone to allergies and asthma can be adversely affected by these pests, resulting to symptoms that might include a runny nose, problem breathing and coughing. Asthma is very dangerous and if left untreated, it might lead to death. Here are a few tips that can help you eradicate and prevent dust mites at home. Lowering Humidity These pests germinate in warm, humid temperatures. Houses with 75-80 percent relative humidity and above…

Like any other part of the house ceilings also get dirty and need regular cleaning. Cleaning depends entirely on the ceiling type and the amount of dirt or stains present. Prevention is better, if possible smoke outside and buy soy candles. There are a few materials you need for your cleaning. These include cobweb brush, long handheld wet sweeper and long handheld duster. Start by removing the cobwebs using the handheld cobweb brush. Pay close attention to the corners and edges as some cobwebs are found in these places. There are diverse brands of long hand held dusters in the…

All the 5 Types of cleaning sponges bring about a difference when it comes to cleaning chores. The secret with great cleaning sponges is that they will help you do more work within a very short period of time as compared to working with poor cleaning sponges. This article is about making you know the 5 Types of Cleaning Sponges, and where they can be used best. To start with are cellulose sponges. They are very common, brightly colored and hand sized shapes. They are very cheap yet they provide the best absorbency and last long even through tough tasks.…

Though every child is different, most can begin to learn how to clean when they are toddlers in order to begin to teach responsibility. A child would benefit from learning different tasks at different ages, which will be discussed as we cover what types of cleanup that a child can perform. As a toddler, a child can help with easy tasks that have simple instructions. Parents can ask their child to put away their toys when they are done with them. It is best to break down their chores into smaller tasks. Children can get overwhelmed with big tasks. For…

Oh no! Did you forget to shut off the drying machine? Is your favorite sweatshirt shrunken up? Have no fear, the following are steps for fixing a shrunken sweater! 1. Warm Water and Conditioner The first thing you will want to do is soak the sweater in warm water mixed with any hair conditioner laying around your house. The conditioner causes the fibers of the sweater to loosen up, making it less of a hassle to stretch out. If you are having issues getting the conditioner to dissolve into the water, you can simply rub the conditioner into the sweater…

Aromatherapy fragrances can be used at home for so many things. For instance they can be used to get rid of unwanted smells or even stimulating your senses. The use of aromatherapy has been embraced by many quarters. In that, real estate agents are nowadays advising their sellers to use lemon essential oils in their homes before potential buyers arrive. So that they can put them at ease. If you need aromatherapy for your home, to either uplift get rid of the stuffy feeling or to uplift our senses, then you should try using rosemary, Basil, bergamot or lemon. The…

People say that old is gold and that a new broom sweeps clean, but the old one knows all the corners, which is very true. The modern society has gone technological that they have forgotten the beauty of using the old household cleaning solutions. Today, every household wants to use top quality house refreshers, top brand vacuum cleaners, and many other exceptional household cleaning gadgets. What they do not understand is the fact that, their predecessors lived in much cleaner houses without the branded household cleaning solutions. One of the most versatile natural household cleaning products is vinegar. Pure distilled…

Folding clothes properly is an important part of caring for your garments and ensuring that they look their best at all times. There just a few simple principles to follow when it comes to folding your clothes properly. So if your drawers are filled with wrinkled, crumpled clothing and you are forever showing up at work with creases in all the wrong places on your shirt or blouse, you can look forward to an immaculate new you. The underlying principle of folding clothes properly is to only make folds where you want creases to be. Folding a t shirt in…

Keeping fish is a wonderful hobby. Picking out a shoal of gemstone-bright tropical fish or a pair of classic goldfish and watching them flit around the water is the perfect antidote to a hard day at work or school. However, keeping a fish tank clean is absolutely vital to ensuring that your fish stay healthy and happy. Thankfully, having an aquarium and keeping it cleaned is easy if you follow a few simple tips! One of the main problems that you may encounter with your aquarium is green algae. This can build up on aquarium ornaments, leaving them slimy and…

Which room in your home is the hardest to keep clean? When answering this question, many people say the kitchen. That is because the work never seems to end and because grease and grime can really build up. One of the main reasons it is hard to keep the kitchen clean is because it is a high traffic area. People are in and out of the kitchen all day long. Keeping a kitchen clean can be daunting as every time you clean it, the kids come in for a snack or it’s time to make the next meal. It can…

Clutter is something that drains your energy, especially if it is out of hand. In many cases, it is not out of hand because of your housekeeping efforts, but does have room for improvement. It can be difficult to find something and you scurry around looking for it when you need it and know you have it. Moreover, depending on where the items get placed because they don’t truly have a home; they can also get damaged. Here are some common household items that wind up on the top of the list. POSTAL MAIL Mail tends to pile up in…

Fabrics in actuality are one of several items used every day that would not exist without fibers or materials. Both terms get used a lot when it comes to curtain shopping and this can often be confusing. In conclusion, a fabric is known as the ending results of spinning and weaving materials together. A shirt is made from a fabric, whether it was woven with just cotton or both cotton and polyester. Curtains are the same in that aspect. To put things into perspective, a fabric can be made from just about any material or fibers and products like curtains…

When you think of house cleaning, it reminds you of that overwhelmed feeling. Why? It is because it is important, yet consumes a lot of your time and energy. You already have enough going on, like reporting to work, taking care of the kids, transporting family members, attending meetings, balancing the budget, maintaining the car, taking care of the dogs, and many other activities. How does house cleaning fit into the mix? Truthfully, it really doesn’t. Your cleaning efforts have to go around many things in your life. Your housekeeping efforts get scattered, whenever you get the chance to do…

You may be wondering how moulding and trim impacts your housekeeping efforts. It’s actually quite simple. Moulding can be difficult to clean when damaged, scuffed, scratched, or missing. Cleaning may make a room look nice, but the moulding can take away from all your efforts if it looks bad. Just like a rusted car with a clean interior, it does have an overall impact. If you agree and this situation applies to you, it may very well be time to upgrade your interior moulding. Moulding is also known as molding without a “u” in it. Aside from that, it can…

Your dedication to a healthy home is reflected by the cleanliness you do with housekeeping efforts. Nevertheless, is that the only thing to consider in making your home healthy? Contaminants and allergens tend to hide well within the air of your home and cause allergic reactions or even illness. You cannot erase everything in the air, but can help take control of it. Every house has dust, but you can help reduce the level of pollutants and allergens to make the atmosphere healthier. These irritants lead to sicknesses or allergy troubles. This happens to be more common during winter seasons…

It can surely be easy to find the right color tone for your particular room. Each and every room and sometimes area, depending on what it is used for or what occurs there requires different lighting. In other cases, minimal light is just fine to any task in that area or room. This helps save the homeowner money in electrical use. No matter, it just depends on your individual needs and preferences. Nonetheless, most activities require lighting in the dark when the sun sets. House cleaning, computer typing, note taking all need light at night. So does many other everyday…

It may seem like the cleaning never ends and that your bathroom fixtures and accessories are never going to look new again. Why not consider a bathroom upgrade? Color options are one of the first things to consider when planning a remodel, aside from budget. Everything can work together to create that mood brightening room and add value to your home, including the cabinets, the light fixtures, the toilet, the sink(s ), the towel racks, the shower, and many more items. Taking your time is important so that you end up with satisfying results in the end. Bathroom sink choices…

If you desire having a restroom upgrade completed, picking paint colors can be really important. You work hard at housekeeping tasks, but a bathroom upgrade will make the room better than ever! The introductory procedures ought to be researching the coloring possibilities. It will make a major difference in the completed effects. You expect interesting effects that leave a pleased experience, so take all the time you need to get the right color combinations for your bathroom. Overall, color(s) play an important role within the design of any bathing room. Every wall surface, virtually every permanent fixture, as well as…

When it comes to entertaining, you want it to be as fuss-free and fun as possible, but you also want it to be perfect. Combining those two things is not as difficult as you might think, it just requires a little bit of planning and a few creative ideas. Before you plan your next party, keep some of these things in mind: Candles can go a long way. If you want something simple and elegant but still attention-getting, candles are the way to go. Set out tea lights on every safe surface you can find. Right before the first guest…

Chances are, when you think about your laundry room, your first thought isn’t about how great the space is. In fact, for most people, the first thought is about house cleaning and washing clothes, and that’s not usually a positive thought. However, you can make the laundry room a better place to be by organizing the things you have there and giving it a makeover. It won’t make the laundry any easier, but it will put you in a better mood. Here’s some tips for making your laundry room great: 1. Hide everything. Visual clutter can cause a feeling of…

Most maintenance house cleaning isn’t so bad, but every once in a while you get that really difficult task. No matter how you scrub and clean, you can’t ever seem to make real headway. It’s frustrating and often leads to just giving up. Thankfully, people are finding clever ways to clean the worst messes, like these three great tips from Woman’s Day: 1. Filthy Drip Pans. Over time, food that spills or drips out of the pots on your stove fall down into the drip pan. You may not always notice it immediately or you may run out of time…

Whatever your space—home office, apartment, house, or dorm—you want it to look great. Of course, getting your space looking great seems to take an awful lot of money. Keep the price low but the style high by trying some of these easy, inexpensive do-it-yourself projects at home: Paint a piece of furniture. Color is the fastest way to decorate, but painting a whole room can take time (and if you live in a rented space, you might not even be permitted to!). Get the effect without the effort by painting a couple of pieces of furniture like a dresser or…

For a lot of homeowners, having a washing machine is a standard and expected part of housekeeping. However, for many who live in apartments or who have had their washing machine and dryer break, getting used to washing clothes without one is a necessity. Apartment Therapy contributor Alison Gerber explains how her family does it—here are some of her ideas: Have a Laundry Day. You’re going to wear yourself out trying to cart clothes to a Laundromat every day, so instead, plan one big laundry day every week. One big trip to get it out of the way will be easier…

Whether you’re spending time at the beach, the lake, or your kids just love the sandbox, there’s sand to be found everywhere this time of year. It can make house cleaning a serious chore, but in your own home or in your beach house, there are a lot of things you can do to keep sand from taking over your house this season! Shoes Off! If your kids are coming home from the playground with shoes full of sand, this is going to be your best way to stop it. Start a “shoes off!” policy in your home. Get your…

When Apartment Therapy creator Maxwell Ryan went on the set of Good Morning America, he brought with him some great green house cleaning tips and demonstrated some of them for the audience. Some of them you may have heard, and some maybe not, but they all worked as advertised! Clean you window with black tea. Maxwell displayed this on the show, and everyone agreed that the window looked great. All you need to do is pour black tea into a spray bottle and wash like your normally would. The kicker? Newspaper as a squeegee! The tannin in the tea is strong enough…

What do you like most about your living room? What do you use it for? How hard is it when it comes to housekeeping? When you think about these things, you might start to think about decorating, especially now that spring has finally arrived. While there are many, many tips for decorating your living room, these are three easy-to-implement favorites: 1. Use Color. Many homeowners are afraid of using color for fear of choosing colors that clash or look too bright together. While it’s not an unreasonable concern, you can rest easy by sticking to one or two colors and…

With Mother’s Day coming up, many people are thinking about their mothers and the things they've learned. When Real Simple asked their readers to share some of the things their mothers taught them about cleaning, they came back with some great tips, tricks, and ideas. Do you have any nifty hints for house cleaning from your mom? Check out these four favorites for ideas! Use a Sock as a Duster. Want to get your kids to help with cleaning? This simple trick works wonders on the dust and on your children! Slip a sock on their hand like a glove and ask…

Cottage style is a blend of several different styles, including Vintage, Romantic, and Rustic. The idea is to have a design that comes off beautiful but comfortable, charming but unpretentious. You're looking for a certain level of coziness that says, “Come in, have a seat, let's chat on this fine day.” The fun of Cottage style is the ability to mix and match. Pull in things from different styles and looks that work together. Think flea market chic or childhood home familiarity. Here are a few tips for combining those different styles into a cohesive room décor: Colors: the overall…

Whether you've just begun spring cleaning or you're already done, there's one thing that often gets completely overlooked that can make all of your cleaning much easier. When maid services come to your house, they have all of their cleaning supplies neatly organized to make things faster and easier—you can do the same! The trick is to have two ways of organizing: one for things that primarily stay in the same spot and one for things you want to carry with you. Here are some of those ideas: Hooks & Clips Using hooks and clips in cleaning closets can free…

There are always those little things that never seem to have a home sitting around the house. They're not exactly clutter, because you use them, but there doesn't seem to be a good way to neatly store them. A recent post on Joyful Homemaking, though; finds a good solution to a lot of those container problems. Need to do a little bit of de-cluttering and house cleaning? Magazine holders might be a good option for corralling your things. Here are some of the suggestions: Hold Books for School. If there is a small collection of books your children keep at…

At the beginning of 2013, design experts weighed in on what they thought would be the trending color this season, and more of them settled on a shade of green than any other color. Not only is it likely to be popular, it's also a fantastic color for spring. If you want to try using green accents, here are three ways to do it: Furniture, especially smaller pieces. This includes end tables like the one pictured, bedside tables, benches, and chairs. Add a few of these through the house in the same shade to tie the rooms together, or use…

There are likely some larger items in your home that make house cleaning more complicated. If you try to clean them where they are, you often miss the dusty spots, but they're so awkward! If you have Venetian blinds, large plants, filters, air conditioning window unit pieces, or anything you'd like to get a good scrub on but can't, try this! Fill your bathtub with warm water and an appropriate cleaner (dish soap or laundry detergent are good, depending on the item). Fill it enough to cover the item if possible, or at least half of the item if not so you…

Doing the dishes is one of those unfortunate housekeeping tasks that needs to be done every day. If you've ever missed a day of dishes, you know how quickly they stack up! It takes a lot of soap and hot water to wash dishes, so if you're trying to conserve water and energy, you might be stumped on how to minimize its impact. There's actually a bonus to washing dishes the green way: it's easier and faster by a large margin. If you're not sure where to start, here are a few ideas: The Dishwasher. Believe it or not, the…

As soon as you see the word “clutter,” there's probably an area of your house that springs to mind. Maybe it's the closet where you shove everything out of sight or the one corner that stacked high and deep with things. Whatever that area is, there's a way to jump in with both feet and get that clutter under control. We'll get you started, and when you're done, call maid services to make your freshly decluttered home clean and healthy! Before you start tackling your mess, set a timer for 20-30 minutes, then take a 10 or 15 minute break. This…

Baking soda. It’s one of those items that has been around as long as anyone can remember and has multiple uses. In fact, the uses of baking soda can fill a pretty long list. While baking soda is primarily used in the kitchen as a leavening agent to cause dough to rise, the uses of baking soda have expanded to include a number of cleaning purposes. A natural whitener, deodorizer, and all-purpose scrub, baking soda is a must-have in your cleaning supply closet as well as your kitchen cabinet. The uses of baking soda are listed in numerous home magazines,…

If you own a dog that sheds, you have probably experienced the woes of attempting to clean dog hair in your home. Not only is it difficult to clean dog hair off of rugs and sofas, but it often seems like every time you clean dog hair off of a surface, it returns within moments. While it may be difficult to prevent fur from clinging to areas in your home, there are ways to quickly clean dog hair from even the toughest spots. When dog hair is trapped all over your home, it can stick to your clothes and the…

Adding “clean baseboards” to your to-do list is probably one of the last tasks you’d like to go through with. No one enjoys having to clean baseboards, especially if you have baseboard heathers or wood boards with grooves that are pesky to get fully clean. Fortunately, tricks on how to clean baseboards are readily available, so fear not! Your apathy over having clean baseboards can be remedied. It is important to have clean baseboards in your home, because dirty baseboards can affect the overall look of a room. Clean baseboards give the illusion of a cleaner home, so it is…

Mold and mildew are common problems in many households, and it is especially common in the bathroom. Bathrooms with showers are particularly susceptible to mold and mildew growth because the steam creates excess moisture, and moisture is what causes mold and mildew to develop. Fortunately, there are a number of steps that one can take to rid their bathroom of mold and mildew. Fighting mold and mildew with acids is one great way to combat the problem. There are also various methods for preventing mold and mildew from growing as well, and all of these steps are simple to take.…

Cleaning is often a task overlooked in a busy household. Sometimes it may seem as if you have no time for anything but the essentials (eating, sleeping, and working)… and who wants to spend free time on the weekends scrubbing floors and vacuuming? Fortunately, it has been found that if you stick to a schedule, cleaning takes less time and the house will stay cleaner for longer. One way to make this schedule work within your busy agenda is by carving out a time every day for speed cleaning. The following article from Just Mommies outlines the best speed cleaning methods in…

No one likes an unpleasant smell. Household odors can affect the rate of happiness and comfort in your home. It can be embarrassing to welcome someone into your home when they are struck with a foul odor. Fortunately, we have a list of ways to get rid of various household odors. These stubborn household odors can actually be removed by a variety of common household items. The following article from Yahoo! explains how to get rid of these common household odors in full detail. How to Get Rid of Household Odors Household odors caused by cooking, pets, smoking, and dampness can make…

A glass stovetop can bring an air of class to an otherwise drab kitchen. Also with a glass stovetop, you do not have to worry about removing grime beneath raised burners, so a glass stovetop typically retains its sleek look. However, a glass stovetop is easier to damage by scratching and must be cleaned with a specific method in order to prevent it from becoming a streaky surface. However, with the right know-how about how to manage your glass stovetop, your kitchen will look spotless in no time. The following article from She Knows How-To describes the best methods keeping a clean…

Home cleaning can often be one of the last things on the mind of a busy person. However, a cluttered, messy home only elevates stress levels in the life of an already overworked person and home cleaning needs to be completed at some point. Many do not understand that an organized schedule and the right cleaning tips can actually cut down on cleaning time and free up time as well as help you retain a cleaner home. So many different cleaning tips already exist that it can be difficult to sort through the clutter of various cleaning tips in order…

Most people don’t enjoy cleaning, least of all during the holidays. Why stress about holiday cleaning when the important things lie within spending time with family and friends? This holiday season, it’s time to stress less about the mess and get down and dirty with some helpful holiday cleaning tips. Hopefully by the end of this article, you will have these holiday cleaning tips down to a science and you will never fret over hosting again. The following article from Breeze Concierge has some great holiday cleaning tips that will leave you beyond thankful. If holiday cleaning has you down, these tips…

Memory foam mattresses and pillows are a modern comfort that has improved the backs and bedtimes of many people throughout the country. However, an owner of this miracle material may forget to clean memory foam. You may wonder “how do you clean memory foam, anyway”? Surprisingly, you do not need to hire a professional to clean memory foam. It is easy to clean memory foam at home. There are two ways to clean memory foam. The first way to clean memory foam involves using dishwashing liquid to get rid of stains, or a vacuum it to erase hair and crumbs.…

Everyone knows about the importance of spring cleaning, but what about fall cleaning? Though fall cleaning is not a common household term, it is an excellent way to get your home ready for the holiday season and the cold weather. You may wonder what should be included in fall cleaning. Surely fall cleaning need not be as in-depth with spring cleaning is already in place. This is true; however, fall cleaning can be a great opportunity to clean the spots that you often miss during the springtime. Fall cleaning also works to prepare your home for the colder months. Consider…

The sofa in your home most likely receives heavy traffic from your family and your guests. However, most people never clean their sofa. This may be partly due to the difficulty associated with sofa cleaning. If you are one of those people that never cleans your sofa but would like to learn how, these sofa cleaning tips are for you. Sofa cleaning does not have to be a strenuous task. Rather than trashing an old, worn couch, consider conducting your own restorative sofa cleaning. The following guide from Cleanmind explains the best sofa cleaning techniques and helps the consumer understand the importance…

Candles are a great accent piece to any room and add an inspiring flare to home decor. Not to mention, the aroma from a lit candle infuses throughout every crevasse of a space. From lemon to orange, a citrus candle can freshen up your living area! Not to mention, the aroma from a lit candle infuses throughout every crevasse of a space. From lemon to orange, a citrus candle can freshen up your living area! Have you ever thought about making your own homemade candles? Homemade candles are simple and easy to make. The beauty of making homemade candles is…

Need some new ideas for decorating your home? Try adopting a transcendentalist outlook and look no farther than your backyard. Natural elements are not only inspirational, but can transform the look and feel of a given room. Not to mention, natural decorating is cheap! Do not limit yourself to a bouquet of flowers. Let’s think creatively! When it comes to decorating with nature, there are no boundaries, which really allows for innovative thinking! So, it is time to turn to the sublime and find within nature, some great decorating ideas. As you walk around your backyard, look for rocks with a range…

Are you prepared to protect your pets and your house from these flea pests? Flea prevention can be done easily and effectively. Prevent fleas from settling down in your house; do not need to resort to toxic chemicals. Before you know it, the April showers will be raining down upon us and soon enough, flea season will be here. Are you prepared to protect your pets and your house from these flea pests? You can easily and effectively use a natural prevention method to keep this pest out of your house. Prevent fleas from settling down in your house. You do…

Many allergens exist in our homes, but only certain people may notice, depending on the prevalence of allergies. If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma, one great way to relieve some of the symptoms is to rid your home of the allergens that cause these ailments. The following article from GreenAmerica.org describes the best way to clean specific allergens in your bedroom so that you and your loved ones can live a healthier, happier lifestyle. The Allergen-Free Bedroom Improve air quality in your bedroom by combatting dust mites, mold, dander, and more. We spend an average of…

Cleaning windows is a simple way to reap the benefits of natural sunlight. Cleaning windows with vinegar is a natural way to let natural light shine through your home. Since the generation of electricity is one of the largest contributors of pollution in the U.S. it’s only natural that we should try to reduce our use of artificial lighting. The benefits of natural lighting are far reaching, and cleaning your windows with vinegar is the easiest way to let that natural sunlight seep into your home... in a very natural way. Consider vinegar window cleaning your natural solution to any lack of…

Natural cleaning takes on a new meaning when you do it with lemons. Cleaning with lemons sounds crazy, however nearly every space in your home can be cleaned with lemons – from your windows to your laundry, lemon juice is a natural cleaning product that can be used to fight toxins and kill germs. And chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re looking for more ways to take a natural, eco-friendly approach to your cleaning, and what better to do that than with lemons? If you’ve been on the lookout for natural cleaning recipes that are geared towards cleaning with lemons,…

The health benefits of indoor gardening might have you putting “house plants” on your shopping list. Enjoy the health benefits of growing indoor house plants! In today’s hectic world, it can be tough to stay healthy and eat right. As a society, we are becoming more conscious of the foods we eat, the exercise we get and the way we live our lives. Growing your own garden can have a wealth of benefits for your health, and those realizing this truth don’t always have the outdoor space to host a flourishing garden filled with fresh vegetables. The solution: growing a…

Microfiber is a durable, resilient fabric commonly used in furniture, towels, and clothing. Its plush feel and appearance makes it a desirable material. However, when faced with a difficult mess, microfiber may not look its best. Depending on the color and type of microfiber that you are use, stains may turn your lovely sofa into an eye sore. No worries though, cleaning microfiber is much easier than you think. In fact, after you’re finished cleaning microfiber, it practically looks brand new! When cleaning microfiber, remember that all microfiber is not created equal. There are various types of microfiber fabrics. Before…

Many have the misconception that harsh chemicals are the only method to clean an oven. However, common chemicals used to clean an oven are hazardous to your health. Accidentally touching, inhaling or ingesting these chemicals used to clean an oven can have severe effects. However, there are better, more natural solutions you can use to clean an oven. To initially avoid messes, line your oven with aluminum foil or use a cookie sheet to dodge spill overs. This will minimize the frequency and amount of time it takes to clean an oven. When a solvent is needed to clean an…

Parents must clean baby toys frequently. Baby toys get dirty easily, thanks to all of the slobbering, throwing, and every day wear that your baby inflicts on these toys. If your child is teething, they will be putting toys in their mouths all of the time, making them susceptible to germs. At this age you will need to clean baby toys on a constant basis. Many common cleaning products contain harmful chemicals—chemicals that should not be used to clean baby toys. The best remedy to this is to make your own, baby-safe cleaning products to clean baby toys. That way…

You are staring at the wall in a battle of wills. To wash or not to wash; who will break first? You will probably ignore them for a while. Why wash something that isn’t that dirty? However, your walls are probably dirtier than you believe. Washing walls is usually preluded by the accumulation of dust, dirt, houseguests, pets, and the artistic toddler. However, slaving away on a part of your home that you never expected to clean may make you feel a bit like Cinderella. While this article from Yahoo! may not get you a handsome prince or glass slippers, but it…

Kitchens always look spacious and clean on the Food Network; no wonder cooks spend all day smiling in them. So how come your kitchen never looks like the ones on TV? The biggest issue in your kitchen is probably all of the wasted space. Organizing your kitchen cabinets is a great way to utilize the once wasted space and make your kitchen a happy place again. Wasted space in a kitchen is the enemy of the cook, so figure out what items you really need in your kitchen (maybe your piles of old cookbooks that you’ve never opened need to…

Working from home is a great alternative to working in an office building, but oftentimes remote workers find themselves settling into an unorganized home office. It can be easy to allow disorganization and untidiness when you don’t have a boss looking over your shoulder. However, clutter can often cause focus to stray. Your goal should be to have your organized home office as clean as you would keep any other office. Set aside a space for an organized home office, don’t just do work in your kitchen table or in your bed. Carving out a separate space will help you…

Green cleaning has been in style lately as people become more environmentally conscious and aware of the dangerous chemicals that prove to be hazards in their homes. Thankfully many alternatives to these toxic products exist. Some people may still be skeptical of green cleaning and wonder how much of a difference green cleaning products have on the environment and the home. The following article from EZineArticles.com (http://EzineArticles.com/1957627) proves that most regular cleaning products are toxic. The article outlines the reasons that green cleaning is better for your world and your family. Do You Know the Benefits of Green Cleaning? Any…

Stains have many sources; anyone or anything can cause a stain, but the question is: how do you go about getting rid of each kind of stain? One thing that is important when we treat stains is timing. As soon as you know a stain has been made on clothing, curtains, furniture or the carpet, be sure to act immediately. The longer you wait to treat stains, the longer the stain gets to set into the fabric. We can also categorize a given stain based on what it is made of, and as long as we know that, we will…

Having to clean our home is a chore that most of us do not enjoy. Yet it must be done in order to maintain a healthy, presentable home. Everyone has their own routine for when and what they clean in their house, but chances are that some objects are completely forgotten—some rather important objects. This is understandable—it can be simple to overlook some objects that you see every day in your home when powering through your clean routine. Homeowners should keep in mind that it is important to clean items such as reusable grocery bags, showerheads, computer keyboards, draperies, trash…

Curtains may be one of the most neglected aspects of your home when it comes to cleaning. After you hang them, it is easy to forget that they require upkeep as well. It is important to vacuum and wash your curtains to prevent a gathering of dirt and dust. Especially in the summer months, curtains are also subjected to harsh UV rays that can fade and damage the curtains. You can choose from a few different options when it comes to protecting your curtains from the sunlight. This guide from Overstock.com (http://www.overstock.com/guides/how-to-care-for-curtains) outlines the basic steps to follow when thinking about…

Do you need to clean a toilet before guests arrive but don’t have any cleaner on hand? Do not fret; we have just the recipe to clean a toilet in a safe, eco-friendly, and quick manner. Families with younger kids are especially wary about using popular household cleaning products around their children due to the toxic chemicals in the cleaners. Many companies are pushing for more “green” products but often these eco-friendly cleaners cost more. We have found a solution to this problem: homemade cleaner. Homemade cleaner utilizes ingredients that you probably already have on hand and are safe to…

Anyone who has owned a cat knows that cat urine is an especially strong odor that is difficult to remove from carpets. Even well-trained cats have been known to leave cat urine on the carpet, sometimes out of anger, due to a health problem, or disgust at a dirty litter box. After you have identified the reason for your cat’s naughty behavior and done what you can to prevent a reoccurrence, it is important to learn about the best methods of removing cat urine from your carpet. The following article from caturineodor.com (http://caturineodor.com/removing-cat-urine-odor-carpets/) Removing Cat Urine Odor From Carpets Our…

It is easy to allow your garage to gather all of the clutter that you don’t want in your house. Sometimes garages can get so filled that there is no longer any room for your car. If you are beginning to reach that point, or already have, cleaning the garage may seem like too daunting a task to tackle. But with these nine tips from HGTV (http://www.hgtv.com/homekeeping/to-do-list-organizing-the-garage/index.html), your cluttered garage can turn into a clean space in no time. If you begin with a plan for organizing your garage before you begin, chances are that you can successfully rid your garage…

Appliance problems are inevitable when owning a home or leasing apartment. While some occurrences may require you to call the maintenance person, many fix-it projects can be done without outside help. The key to preparing yourself for when repairs are necessary is to have a tool kit readied before any issues occur. A household tool kit is simple to create and only requires a few tools that you can easily find at your local hardware store. The tool kit does not need to be very big and you can store the tool kit in a closet or drawer. The following…

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the home. You cook in the kitchen, gather for those cooked meals in the kitchen and maybe even do homework in the Follow these garbage disposal do's and don'ts to keep your garbage disposal working properly. kitchen. There's a lot of foot traffic, and you want to keep your kitchen as clean as possible, for many reasons. The garbage disposal is often an area that's neglected when it comes to cleaning your home, however. The garbage disposal is probably something you are very thankful to have (if you have one). A…

Having ants in the home is a constant battle faced by so many people. As the warmer weather settles in, keeping ants out of the home is a struggle we all must deal with. Drawn by open containers, exposed food and ease of entrance, ants find your home quite attractive in the spring and summer. To get rid of ants in your home, make sure you tightly seal all leftover food well and keep your floors and countertops clean of the crumbs and stickiness ants love. There are plenty of other natural ways you can get rid of ants in…

The first step to making your household cleaning routine eco-friendly and environmentally friendly is easy! First, get rid of all your toxic cleaning products! Learn a few green cleaning tips so you can become an eco-friendly cleaner! If a cleaning product contains the words caution, warning, danger, or poison, it needs to go. Of the non-eco-friendly products that you'll have, they'll contain some important keywords you need to aware of: Products that contain the words "poison" or "danger" are highly toxic; ingesting just a few drops can be fatal. "Warning" is the term used for moderately toxic product. A spoonful…

Does your kitchen suffer in between maid visits? There’s a way you can keep your kitchen cleaner, longer, without spending loads of time cleaning the kitchen every day. Your maids will be able to provide you with a thorough, deep kitchen cleaning with each visit, but you may not have them scheduled to clean the kitchen every day (actually, you most likely don’t). Keeping the kitchen clean doesn’t have to be a hassle. There are a lot of kitchen cleaning tips that you can follow to ensure you have a safe, healthy environment for your family year round. …

Learn how to live in a healthy environment, with some healthy cleaning tips from The Maids! No other cleaning system is a match to The Maid's 22 Step Healthy Touch, but in between visits from The Maids there are ways to keep your home cleaner and a healthy environment. Washing Wash your hands, wash your hands, and wash your hands! You can spread unhealthy germs throughout your home if you do not wash your hands regularly. Rubbing your hands together with soap and water multiple times a day can severely minimize your chances of getting yourself, and those in your home,…

With a few easy organization tips, you can get your home looking great! Organization is the easiest way to keep your home clean and healthy in between visits from The Maids. Staying organized will also eliminate clutter and minimize stress. Follow these easy home organization tips to start your way towards a more clean, healthy and productive life. Kitchen Junk drawer? No more! Only 20% of all items in your kitchen are used 80% of the time. Fortunately, this means you can get rid of most of the stuff in your kitchen and not even miss it. Clean out the…

Getting Started: Clear the clutter in your home with five easy cleaning tips from The Maids. Is your stuff taking over your home? For many people, their houses are messy not because they are messy, but simply because they have too much stuff and not enough storage. Clutter can take up space in your house that could be better used for other things, and cutting down on your unnecessary or unused possessions can really make your home cleaner and more comfortable. However, deciding what to get rid of and finding the time to sort through it all can seem daunting. An…

Having to organize your closet might not seem like an important part of cleaning your house; after all, if you shut the doors no one can see the mess! But if you are using your closet everyday, think of the time and frustration you could save yourself by making it easy to find what you are looking for. Closets are a primary space for clutter, and sometimes it is a good idea to go through all it in order to get rid of the some of the more interesting items you have accumulated over the years. If your closet is organized,…

Your bathroom is one of the hardest places in clean in your entire home. It is also the one that needs it the most! Proper bathroom cleaning will help keep you and your family live healthier. You do not need dangerous chemicals to get your bathroom clean and free of germs, you just need to to know the right products to get the job done. While bathroom cleaning might not be a fun thing to do, but if you do it every week it will not be too time consuming. Here are some simple cleaning tips from Housekeepingchannel.com by Linda Cobb that…

Many of us have that small room in our house that is seemingly useless. Maybe it was once your oldest child’s bedroom and now they are all grown up and gone, and that small room is still there. Perhaps you haven’t organized the small room since they left because you either don’t know what to do with the small room, or you simply discovered that you can use that small room for storage. Organizing a small room can make a huge difference in your home. Wouldn’t it be nice to organize that small room and have it be used for something…

Your refrigerator is one of the most important places that you need to keep clean. The refrigerator is home to all the food and Keep your refrigerator clean and safe with an Eco-friendly approach! beverages that you and your family eat and drink. You don’t want your refrigerator to be home to bacteria and mold, or any other harmful things that could jeopardize you and your family’s health and safety. If you actively clean your refrigerator on a daily basis, by keeping an eye out for expired foods, spills, and odors, you will prevent lingering odors and germs that may…

Have you started to think about your spring-cleaning to-do-list? Your spring-cleaning should begin with a spring-cleaning to-do-list, so that you know exactly what you need to accomplish. Spring is on her way. The temperature is getting milder and the days are lasting longer. To most gracefully welcome spring, you should do some spring-cleaning. Spring-cleaning: It's time to freshen up your living space! you started to think about your spring-cleaning to-do-list? Your spring-cleaning should begin with a spring-cleaning to-do-list, so that you know exactly what you need to accomplish. Typically, the spring-cleaning list is a compilation of chores that are not done…

If “detox your home” is not on your spring cleaning to-do list, it sure should be! Clean your home naturally and safely with non-toxic cleaning products for a detoxifying experience. Detoxifying your home should be an essential part of your spring cleaning regimen. You’ve probably heard of doing a detox to eliminate the internal toxins from your body, but did you know that you can also detox your hoome? Evidence shows that what we use to clean our home is just as important as what we’re putting in and on our bodies. After all, the toxins that are present in…

Spring dreaming? That means it’s time to think about spring cleaning! Now, about that “Honey-do” list that your spouse or significant other expects you to complete before spring makes an appearance on Tuesday, March 20th. Find a little inspiration before you tackle your honey-do list, and spring chores can actually be enjoyable! Stuck with the “Honey-do” list?... have you even thought about tackling that yet? Spring 2012 will be here before you know it, so it’s time to put your thinking cap on and decide how you’re going to tackle your spring to do list as a self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfer. Common…

A new year is almost here, that means a New Year's resolution. It's time to (try to) stick to a New Year's resolution, once and for all. Setting a New Year's resolution is one thing, but following through on your promise to yourself is the real challenge. If you've promised yourself that you're going to create a healthy home cleaning schedule for 2012 as your New Year's Resolution, The Maids are happy to help you stick to your home cleaning plan. Healthy home cleaning is a New Year's resolution you can follow through on! Sometimes New Year's Resolutions like this one…

Taking your holiday decorating outdoors can create a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors. 'Tis the season for holiday decorating! The holiday season is the perfect time for homeowners to spruce up their indoor and outdoor decorating themes and really create a warm environment for all who enter and live there. Whether you're decorating for Christmas or another holiday this season, there are a plethora of holiday decorating ideas that you can find online, in magazines or by looking at other homes. And it doesn't matter where you gather your inspiration for holiday decorating, as long as you can enjoy your Christmas…

Winter is coming quick and that means winter cleaning is almost here as well! This is the time of year when many people spend the most time in their homes; it’s colder, and you're enjoying indoor gatherings with family and friends. While winter cleaning becomes a thought mostly due to colder weather or holiday specifics, there are a few extras to take into consideration while you're stuck at home on a “snow day”. During winter cleaning, change your floor mat to a sturdy one.Winter cleaning doesn’t only consist of clearing snow once it comes; there are plenty of things around the house you need…

You may still be recovering from your Thanksgiving entertaining duties, but that doesn't mean that you should wait until the last minute to prepare for your December holiday entertaining. A great way to prepare ahead of time for the upcoming holidays is to organize your kitchen so that cooking and entertaining goes without a hitch. You likely have most of the tools necessary for organizing your kitchen already in place, so organizing your kitchen may just be a matter of decluttering and relocating. By organizing your kitchen you can get it to look like this one, not to mention simplify your…

Stains have many sources; anyone or anything can cause a stain, but the question is: how do you go about getting rid of each kind of stain? One thing that is important when we treat stains is timing. As soon as you know a stain has been made on clothing, curtains, furniture or the carpet, be sure to act immediately. The longer you wait to treat stains, the longer the stain gets to set into the fabric. We can also categorize a given stain based on what it is made of, and as long as we know that, we will know…

With the fall foliage as your backdrop you are sure to create beautiful Thanksgiving decorations that will be sure to get your friends and family in the turkey-eating mood. To start, the best way to come up with Thanksgiving decorations is to let yourself be inspired by the fall color pallete and stick to that. This is something that won't be difficult given all of the great fall colors you'll have the chance to incorporate as part of your Thanksgiving decorations. Since you will be using the outdoors as an inspiration for your Thanksgiving decorations, the best way to bring those…

Preventing mold, a microscopic fungus, is something that every homeowner should keep in mind. These fungi, once grown, reproduce at a rapid rate, producing spores and mycelia in the process. Some people may not think that preventing mold is a big deal; you see food spoilage due to mold, wood and leaves decaying due to mold. What most people may not know is that mold can be harmful and may affect the occupants of a home; therefore, preventing mold is a serious matter. Preventing mold can save your house from looking like this. Mold can cause damages to both materials it…

A big move can be an intimidating undertaking, but if you do some move in cleaning, you can make it a smooth transition. Move in cleaning is a must because nobody wants to move all of their furniture and clothing, let alone themselves, into a home or apartment that isn't up to their move in cleaning standards. Doing your move in cleaning will make the entire move in process easier! There are two general things that you should be sure to do when doing your move in cleaning: the first thing is do not move on the the next…

The holidays are coming and that means one thing: hosting a dinner party. If this is your year to host the holiday dinner party, you have a lot of planning to do. Other than getting the guest and food list ready, you need to think about cleaning your house. You’ll want your house to look spotless, but there is no reason to stress out doing so. Waiting until the last minute to clean may add to the other stresses of hosting a dinner party. Cleaning your house is a big part when hosting a dinner party. Come up with three separate…

There are so many great reasons why you and your home could really benefit from using homemade cleaning products as opposed to commercial ones. Using homemade cleaning products is not only more cost effective, but using homemade cleaning products is better for your health. By ditching the commerical cleaners for your homemade cleaning products you are cutting the harsh chemicals out of the equation, which makes for healthier living. Homemade cleaning products can also make it easy to lessen your impact on the environment, because you won't have to constantly be throwing out containers or be using aerosol. Making your own…

Regularly cleaning your oven is needed in order to remove the grease, splatters and charred carbon. Ever wonder what oven cleaners are best to use on the different parts of your oven? How about natural, homemade oven cleaners? Cleaning your oven with natural oven cleaners is better for your health. These oven cleaners do not contain the chemicals you may find in store oven cleaners, which include sodium hydroxide, butane, monoethanolamine, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether... to name a few. These chemicals are harmful to the human body, so why use them when cleaning a place you cook your food? Natural…

Homemade soap; this may have never crossed your mind before. Maybe you want to make homemade soap to avoid the harsh chemicals that are found in store bought soap, or to save money. Maybe you want to make homemade soap so you can mix your own scents and mold the bars into your own design; whatever the reason, homemade soap is a fun hobby to get into. Homemade soap is a perfect gift for the upcomming holidays. Before making homemade soap, just be aware of the dangers in the process of making your own homemade soap and how to avoid…

Fall is known for two things: the beautiful fall scenery and beautiful fall decorating! Colorful fall decorating can add to any house during this time of season. While fall decorating, keep in mind these five tips in order to keep your fall decorating ideas more sophisticated opposed to just placing common fall items all over the house: Fall decorating can add color to any house. Curb appeal- how your fall decorations look far away as well as close up. Accessories that reflect your house style- fall decorations that don’t go with your house style are better left out. Symmetry- fall…

There's no denying that Halloween is right around the corner now that the leaves are falling,so why not do some Halloween decorating to get in the spirit of the season? By doing some Halloween decorating you can help get your children excited about this candy-filled holiday while getting yourself in a candy-giving mood. A little bit of Halloween decorating can go a long way! Not all Halloween decorations have to be store bought. In fact, some of the best Halloween decorations are the ones that you and your children make at home together. There are some classic elements that no…

When it starts to cool off after a Summer of sun we would all love to curl up inside the house and maybe even do a little complaining about the weather, but you can make that time spent inside productive by doing some Fall cleaning. Fall Cleaning can get you saving money and time come Winter. By doing simple Fall cleaning chores like changing your furnace filter, you can save energy and money. Get your house Winter-ready by doing some Fall cleaning inside and outside of the house! You can also make time spent indoors this Winter more pleasurable by getting…

Most people think that there isn’t a need for Fall cleaning because there is so much hype in the Spring, but that is a common misconception. In reality, it can be much more efficient and useful to do Fall cleaning instead. House cleaning can become less of a priority over the Summer since most fill their time enjoying the long awaited heat rather than cleaning; making a Fall cleaning checklist is the perfect chance to catch up. Get your kitchen in tip-top shape for the holidays by using a Fall cleaning checklist! Not only will creating your own Fall cleaning checklist…

Vinegar; you’ve most likely used it to cook with, possibly as a salad dressing or a dietary aid, and possibly even in your hair to balance out the pH level (yes it works)! Did you ever think of using vinegar in other ways? How about cleaning with vinegar as an organic cleaning product? Cleaning with vinegar is an all natural way to clean your home. Cleaning products today are loaded with toxins that are harmful to both users as well as the people who come into contact with that cleaned surface afterwards. As consumers we believe that if our children don’t…

Marble is a beautiful natural stone that, over time, can become damaged.Marble is a popular choice for countertops in kitchens and bathroom, as well as fireplaces and vanities. Marble countertops are constantly being used and are always under wear and tear. Marble can maintain its beautiful finish if it is cared for properly. Marble is a great natural stone choice fo countertops. There are some very simple tips for cleaning marble that you should follow when you decide to have marble in your home. The following article from HowToCleanThings.comoffers simple and easy-to-follow tips on how to clean marble in your home.…

If you're a small business owner, then you might find yourself working from your home office or space where you can conduct your business. Your home office can increase your productivity if it is clean and organized. A home office can be very convenient, beneficial and rewarding, but if this space is messy and disorganized, it can quickly become a nightmare. No matter the size or shape of your home office, there is endless opportunity to create a space that is customized for your personal style and work needs. Your home office is a place where you will be spending…

Nothing reflects your home’s beauty like your floors. They are the among largest surfaces in your house and should also be taken care of on a regular basis. The wear and tear that a floor can encounter makes it even more important to clean them properly. Using harsh chemicals or cleaners that ruin wood finishes can reduce the value of your floor, leaving it dull and unattractive. Sometimes floor cleaners and other floor cleaning products can bother children or pets. Making sure that you have safe floor cleaning products is also a very important thing. In order to make sure…

Find the right professional cleaning company with a few easy steps. Over the years, home cleaning services have changed and are now available to almost everyone. The services offered by residential house cleaners now fit the busy lives of most individuals, not just the wealthy. Do you have a cleaning job that needs to be done but don’t want to be bothered with? Professional house cleaners will come to your house and do the job quickly and efficiently. There are many options for maid services but you can’t expect the healthiest and most thorough cleaning from all of them, you’ve…

Should you tip your professional cleaning service, and if you do, how much should you tip? About once a week I am asked, “How much should I tip my cleaning team?” The question is no different in Massachusetts than in other parts of the country The answer is really not that different either. First, our belief is that we treat our employees fairly. That means that they get paid holidays, paid time off, paid training, and are paid hourly (rather than by the house). As business owners we take our responsibilities to our employees seriously. One of our key measures…

We regularly encounter a broad range of product preferences when it comes to our housekeeping customers. On one side are those that want everything disinfected and strong smell of bleach left behind. On the other are those who want their homes cleaned with the minimum trace of chemicals. Market research shows that nearly everyone (except those with strong sensitivities) identifies with some sort of smell of cleanliness. This smell can be Chlorox, Murphy's Oil, Pine Oil, or simply a fragrance - coming home to a clean smelling house relaxes the senses. Our company's challenge lies in how to deliver the…

Hiring a professional maid cleaning service may or may not be for you. Many of the requests for estimates I received this week were very specific - some callers required their products be used, a few required that we use their vacuum, and one or two even stated the exact process to be followed. I couldn't help but question why they'd want to hire a professional cleaning service instead of contracting an individual to work at their direction. They may have been putting process ahead of the results desired. Our regular housekeeping customers choose a maid service for a few…

The Healthy Touch Cleaning System was designed for healthy cleaning of the whole home. Kids love getting into every nook and cranny, every niche and corner of your home. Unfortunately, that's also where dust, dirt and allergens collect. Thank goodness you use The Maids Home Services, the most thorough and healthiest cleaner in town. Our patented Back Pack Vacs extend to clean deep under beds and other furniture . They'll lift the dust and dirt off your baseboards, out of your registers and vents and up out of your carpets. In fact, our Vacs can actually capture up to 99%…

You may be surprised by how dirty some areas in your home get! When you think about dirty places in your house, your mind automatically jumps to the bathroom. But, surprisingly, there are many places much more germ-ridden in your house. These are places that we don’t even think about cleaning, so as a result become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. WebMD has a great article by Mary Anne Dunkin about the six dirtiest places in your home that will have you reaching for some disinfectant wipes! 6 Surprisingly Dirty Places in Your Home If you dropped a piece…

Introduction The Maids has some great seasonal cleaning tips so that your fall cleaning is easier! Everyone knows about Spring Cleaning, but did you know that cleaning in the fall can make your house much better for the winter? It will also make Spring Cleaning easier, only 6 month’s worth of mess! TLC has Five Tips for Cleaning for Fall which will really help you get ready for the cold months, you won’t regret being prepared! A Fall Cleaning will make your house look bright and clean for the holidays, and will prevent you from having to perform some essential household…

Winter is almost here, meaning the the windows will close and the air in your house will not circulate as much. If you have people in your home who suffer from allergies, that can make this time of year very tough. Common house allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pet dander can build up in your air, making your house stuffy and unpleasant. While most of us think about cleaning our house for the holidays, it is just as important to keep the air clean and allergy free. A great article by Cleanairplus.com goes over ways to reduce allergens in…

Keep your home fresh in the winter with these seasonal cleaning tips. Winter is almost here, and getting your house ready for the holidays can be a lot of work. But beyond cleaning and de-cluttering, there is something else that most people forget: the quality of the air in your home. A great smelling home is much more welcoming and easy to live in then one whose air is stale and musty. Making sure the air in your house is fresh and free of allergens like dust and mildew will make your family (and your visitors) much happier and healthier! Here…

Carpets are great for keeping you feet warm and adding extra color to a room. But as everyone knows, they can collect dust and allergens if not cleaned properly and regularly. It is also important to remember that it isn't just the carpet that you can see that is collecting dust, you also have to clean under furniture and in corners. Keeping your carpet clean will help you house not only look and smell better, but also make it a healthier place. A great article by The Carpet and Rug Institute from HouseKeepingChannel.com goes over more reasons why you should keep…

One of the best things you can do to keep both your family and the environment healthy is to try to clean in an eco-friendly way. Using fewer toxic chemicals and trying natural substitutions will remove some hazards from your home and help the earth. It might seem difficult to change to eco-friendly cleaning, but it actually is a lot easier (and cheaper) than you would expect. A great article from Care2.com goes over ten easy, eco-friendly ways to clean your home. Environmentally friendly cleaning starts with a few easy cleaning tips. Choosing environmentally friendly cleaning products — and removing toxic…

There are a lot of cat lovers in the world, and cats are great furry companions. They can be playful, affectionate, and a lot of fun, but they are not without their own unique messes. It is true that one of the worst smells in the world is cat urine. And to make it worse, cats are more likely to pee on the same spot they did before unless all trace of that distinct smell is gone. So you can see that very important that that stain and smell are cleaned up quickly and effectively. Here is a great article from…

Every parent knows that kids can create a lot of mess, and their rooms can be a disaster area! Teaching your kids to clean is an important life skill, and a great place to start is their own rooms. While no kid wants to clean, there are ways that you can make cleaning fun and easy for them so they are able to get into the habit of picking up after themselves. A great guide from Kaboose.com by Leigh Felesky goes over what you can do to help your kids learn to clean their room. Get your kids to clean up…

Use creative strategies to organize your child's playroom and keep it organized! Organizing your child’s playroom can become a tedious, and sometime endless, project that results in a constantly messy playroom. Although your good intentions lie with the child's enjoyment of the playroom, you may be going about organizing the playroom the wrong way. By looking at the playroom, and the organization of the playroom, from your child's perspective, you may find that your system for organizing is neither practical nor functional. The toys and other objects in the playroom should be labeled for simple identification, and in a way that makes…

Laundry probably isn’t your favorite thing to do around the house, but there are some eco-friendly ways to go about doing your laundry so that you can at least feel a little bit better about laundry days. There are some great Get your already green laundry greener by following simple eco-friendly laundry tips. eco-friendly laundry tips available that will help you save water and save energy when doing the laundry, and there are eco-friendly laundry detergents in the market that allow you to take a more eco-friendly approach to doing your laundry. Sometimes you just need to make yourself more aware…

Having a bed bug problem in your home can be a traumatic event for a homeowner. Finding beg bugs does not necessarily mean that you have poor hygiene. A beg bug infestation in It is important to know everything about bed bugs, whether or not they've made your home theirs your home can be ignited when you (unknowingly) purchase infested clothing at a retail store, stay in a hotel room with infested bed sheets, or when you bring your infested suitcase back with you from vacation. Before you understand how to treat a bed bug bite and prevent bed…

Cleaning the unwanted clothing out of your closet can be a hassle itself, but knowing what to do with the used, Donating your unwanted clothing to a local charity will clean your closet and help others! unwanted clothing after you have finished cleaning is another challenge. After your closet has been de-cluttered and your unwanted clothing identified, it is time to pack up some boxes and donate the clothing to a local charity. Donating your clothing to a local charity or local organization, rather than simply tossing the clothing into a dumpster, will provide you will some altruistic satisfaction and…

Where you store your food, how you store your food, and what types of food you store all matters when it comes to Keeping your food pantry organized will simplify your life in the kitchen! keeping a clean and organized food pantry. You surely can’t cook if you don’t have the right food items and ingredients for the meal, and if you can’t find where those essential ingredients are, then you might as well not even have them. If the kitchen is your personal castle, then your food pantry is your armory, the place that stocks all of your essential…

Your dishwasher is the workhorse of the kitchen, so it's extremely important to keep it functioning at its best. A dishwasher saves you time and the hassle of hand washing the dishes, and it is this efficiency that must be For efficiency in the kitchen, take good care of your dishwasher! optimized and prolonged. Like most other appliances, a dishwasher's lifespan can be lengthened if you care for it properly and provide maintenance when it's needed. Loading your dishwasher correctly is only half the battle of an efficiently run dishwasher. For a long lasting dishwasher, you will need to make…

If you or one of your family members suffers from allergies, you understand how difficult and frustrating it can be to Make your home allergen-free to keep you and your family healthy. deal with allergens in your home. Allergens are substances that trigger an allergic reaction, and you or your loved ones may experience sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itchy eyes, swelling of tissues, and other bothersome symptoms. Making your home a refuge against the allergens most frequently found in homes will make living more bearable for you and your family. To minimize allergens in your home, or anywhere, you should keep away…

Daily cleaning will keep your hardwood floors looking new, longer. Your hardwood floors were beautiful when they were installed, but to keep hardwood floors looking that way, there is a little maintenance required. Cleaning hardwood floors can be broken down into three types: daily care, quarterly care, and preventative maintenance. Daily care involves sweeping hardwood floors with a soft bristle broom to remove dirt that can cause abrasions. Also, you should always clean up spills on your hardwood floors as quickly as possible to avoid water damage. Quarterly care is needed to remove surface grease and dirt that may have…

If you work from your home, you likely have a home office or at least a place where you can conduct your business. A home office can be very convenient, beneficial and Get creative with your home office storage and organization! rewarding, but if this space is messy and disorganized, it can quickly become a nightmare. No matter the size or shape of your home office, there is ample opportunity to create a space that is customized for your personal style and work needs. The home office is a place where you will be spending a lot of time, so…

Don't waste the space in your garage - organize the clutter! Is your garage the dumping ground for everything you don’t want in your house? That is how most people utilize the space in their garage; they fill it with anything and everything. Your garage has so much more potential than that, so don’t waste perfectly good space! You can make your garage more than a place to just park your car. Make the garage an extension of your home by taking control of the clutter and reinventing the meaning of your garage. You could turn your garage into an exercise…

If you’re like most of us, you procrastinate when it comes to doing the laundry. If you allow that overflowing pile of laundry to build up into a mountain before you tend to it, you Create a system for doing the laundry to make your life in the laundry room easier. probably need a little encouragement in the laundry room, and maybe a few tips to help you create new laundry habits. It's extremely easy to procrastinate when it’s time to do the laundry – laundry isn’t the most exciting or pressing task in the home. If you let your…

You would be surprised at how much you can do with what you already have in your home. So many common Decorate and reuse clothespins to keep your chips and cereal fresh, rather than buying plastic chip clips. household items can be reused and re-purposed, which saves you from buying more of things that just may not be necessary. There is no right way to reuse or wrong way to reuse the items you already have in your home. There are some creative ways to reuse common household items, however, some that will save you money and might even spark some…

Adding spring flowers can instantly brighten up your home for springtime. This winter has been really harsh; cold, snowy, and rainy. The cure for that? Spring! Although spring isn’t here yet, you can start preparing your house for the spring weather. Brightening up your home will make you feel much better about the nice weather to come in spring. This can be done simply. Changing the items in your home can be the easiest way to bring spring into your home. Remove winter items, and replace them with bright spring-inspired ones. Change dark colored paintings for brighter, airy ones. If…

Regularly vacuuming your carpet will prolong the life of your carpet. Carpets are beautiful but they are susceptible to stains, matting, and discoloration. You shouldn’t fear, though. There are things you can do to minimize the risk of damage to your carpet and make your carpet last as long as possible. Depending on the layout of your home, some areas have much more traffic than others, regardless of how your furniture is arranged. This means that those areas of your carpet are going to get worn more quickly. To avoid this, consider placing area rugs over your carpet in these…

Spring is certainly about to spring - and this is usually the time that homeowners take a look at their house, whether it's a small house or a large house, and set about determined to do a To maximize space in your small house, select furniture that has more than one use. thorough spring cleaning. If you have a small house, you probably find that your limited space is a nuisance to your regular cleaning routine, no matter what time of year it is. A small house can mean limited space, but that just means that you need to find…

Spring is in the air, and that means that spring cleaning is knocking on your door, too! Spring cleaning is welcomed with open arms by some, but put on the back burner by others. Whatever category you fall into, it’s time to get your spring cleaning checklist out and seek out helpful resources to get you through your spring cleaning projects. While the outside may not be quite ready to undergo any major spring cleaning, the inside of your home is probably more than ready to experience a thorough spring cleaning. Preparing your home with a good spring cleaning for…

When spring comes around and the sun is shining, we all get the urge to do some spring cleaning -- or at least we feel that we need to do some spring cleaning! Spring cleaning inevitably means that you will find things in your home that you didn't know you had, and that you wish you didn't have. This is when a yard sale comes into play as well as yard sale advertising. Yard sales (with the help of yard sale advertising) allow you to get rid of all those unwanted items you found in your home after you did some…

The entryway is the welcome mat of your home. From the small mudroom to the large and open foyer to the narrow Keeping your entryway organized and tidy is easier than you think. entry hall, entryways are how you greet your guests and how your home greets you. Your entryway may be large or you could have a small entryway, but no matter what shape or size your entryway happens to be, you should make an effort to keep your entryway clean and tidy -- for visitors and for your family. Every entryway shares the same organizational challenges: the elements of…

Modern homes are very well insulated so indoor air temperatures can be maintained. But air-tight homes can mean that chemicals get trapped indoors, leading to poor indoor air quality. So what can you do to improve the indoor air quality of your home? You have options. Make sure your home is well ventilated; if your home doesn’t have a built-in ventilation system, install vents in your home or open up the windows more often to improve indoor air quality. Bring the outdoors inside with indoor plants. There are many common varieties of houseplants have been proven to remove harmful chemicals…

Sometimes you just don’t have the energy or motivation to clean your home after a long day at work – or just a long Hiring a maid cleaning service provider like The Maids will give you more time to enjoy life. day in general. Cleaning is considered a chore by many, but there are options if you’re not that fond of cleaning. Hiring a professional cleaning company gives you the benefit of being able to relax in your own home, one that you didn’t have to clean. But there are many other reasons why hiring a professional cleaning service company…

Patio furniture cushions may be waterproof, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t get dirty! Your outdoor patio -- and the furniture cushions especially -- are exposed to all the elements of the outdoors and therefore can collect dirt and dust that indoor furniture cushions are Keep your outdoor patio furniture cushions clean and vibrant -- like the day you bought them! not exposed to. It's never a pretty sight when you're planning an outdoor party with family and friends, and you uncover your patio only to discover dirty patio furniture! By properly cleaning and maintaining your outdoor patio furniture…

No matter what type of cleaner you are, there are a few bare essentials to have before you start. Cleaning your home is part of being a homeowner, and while cleaning might not be the most fun task to many people, it is a necessity. With countless products on the market it is easy to get lost and lose sight of what cleaning essentials are must-haves to begin your cleaning. Whether you are taking on the large task of a "spring" cleaning, or the smaller cleaning touch up, it is a good idea to gather the essential cleaning supplies before…

Cleaning for a house party can be a difficult task, but with a few tips and tricks it can become less of a hassle. House parties can be a very popular thing during the summer season. What could be better than gathering at some one's house with all of your friends and partying together? But it is important that you and your friends have a clean space to enjoy together. Being the host of a house party can be a bit daunting. When it is your house being used, you want to make sure that it is clean. You also…

Your computer is your lifeline to your work, social life, and information. As a matter of fact you are probably reading this on your computer right now, unless you have a fancy smart phone but that is something else. Since we depend on our computers so much nowadays, it is important to keep your computer clean. Maintaining a clean computer can drastically increase your computer's speed and lifespan. We're not talking about keeping computers clean of viruses, although that is important as well, but we mean cleaning on the outside. It is imperative that you keep your computer clean in order…

If you're looking to cut down costs around your home, one of the easiest ways is to reduce water waste. Not only does it help you economically, but also personally. Conserving your water can help lead to a cleaner, healthier, and more eco-friendly home In this day and age, the green initiative is alive and well. When most people think of the green initiative, they think of clean. Cutting back on your water usage allows you to be a cleaner home owner. Water conservation is not an easy thing to manage when it comes to cleaning your home. Think about how…

Think back to when you were a kid, and your parents made you pick up your room. This was a chore that you did not want to do, and you found it unbearable. Now, as a parent you wonder how you can make your children do the same dreaded chore that you had to do years ago. How do you make your kids clean their messy rooms? With the right leadership and motivation, your kids can tackle their cleaning chores. Getting your kids to clean their room can prove to be a difficult task. To them it is a chore and…

Area rugs are tremendously versatile. With the appropriate pad, area rugs work on any type of flooring and in any room. Area rugs offer unlimited combinations of color, texture, pattern and placement, and no matter what kind of room you have they can add a whole new level of beauty. They are the only flooring product that you can easily install, then pick up and move. Area rugs add new depths of beauty to a room, but they have to be maintained properly. Handmade area rugs can be very valuable and expensive elegant additions to a room, but despite their…